President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away today afternoon at the age of 73. The news was reported through ANI on reports from Reuters and UAE State news agency WAM.

As per the report on WAM website, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs has mourned the death of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the people of the United Arab Emirates, Arab and Islamic nations. The ministry has declared a 40 day state-mourning with the flag flying at half mast, starting today. Work in all ministries, federal and local departments and private entities will remain suspended for three days.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE tweeted on his official handle with his condolences on the demise of the President.

بقلوب يعتصرها الحزن .. وبنفوس مؤمنة بقضاء الله وقدره .. ننعى راعي مسيرتنا .. ورئيس دولتنا الشيخ خليفة بن زايد آل نهيان لشعب الإمارات وللشعوب العربية والإسلامية وللعالم .. اللهم إنه حط رحاله عندك .. فأكرم وفادته.. ووسع مدخله .. وإجعل مثواه الفردوس الأعلى من الجنة .. آمين pic.twitter.com/j1bbuHnC1h

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) May 13, 2022

Sheikh Khalifa was elected the second President of the United Arab Emirates on 3 November 2004, after the death of his father, the founding President of the United Arab Emirates HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nhayan who was President of UAE from 1971 till 2004. His appointment as President was followed by major restructuring of both the Federal Government as well as Govt of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rahsid Al Maktuom, Vice President and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai was elected the Prime Minister of UAE.

Khalifa was the eldest son of Late HH Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan and he was born on 7 September 1948.